Considering online therapy

@inthequeue I'd also appreciate if people can share any relevant resource :)

@inthequeue I haven't had therapy for PTSD myself, but I know some therapists (in real life, not at 7 Cups) who know how to treat PTSD successfully and who work online. So, based partly on this, here are some thoughts.

To find a good therapist, I think the best approach is to get a personal recommendation. If you don't know anyone who has had successful therapy, maybe your doctor knows some therapists who get good results.

Another way is to search for a member of the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies. They check that their therapists can actually work successfully with real clients. Other directories do not check, they just accept any therapist who matches some criteria and pays the listing fee, so picking therapists from other directories (including 7 Cups) is kind of random. (If you find another directory that really does check, please let me know )

In my opinion a good therapist is one who you feel very comfortable with immediately, and who helps you recover from your PTSD. If you don't feel comfortable in the very first session, leave that therapist immediately and do not agree to another session. A common mistake is to blame yourself and continue seeing a therapist who is doing you no good.

For you to recover from PTSD, there are at least two successful approaches that your therapist can use. Your therapist should be able to explain which approach they will use, so that you can look it up online and learn about it. Many therapists find treating PTSD difficult, and they teach coping strategies instead, but PTSD is treatable and you can recover. If your therapist only offers coping strategies, not recovery, then leave that therapist and look for a better one.

If you'd like to chat about your situation, just click on my profile picture and message me.

Charlie